Holding element for a dental implant

ABSTRACT

Holding element for a dental implant including: an engagement section adapted for engagement with a manipulating tool; a retention section joined to the engagement section and adapted for engagement with a package, in particular an ampule; and a clamping section joined to the retention section and adapted for connecting the holding element to the dental implant, the clamping section including a force transmission element, wherein the clamping section further includes a clamping element provided with an elastic means extending in a non-compressed position thereof at and beyond the outer perimeter defined by the force transmission element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 11/497,712, filed Aug. 2, 2006, the disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention relates in general to an improved holding elementfor a dental implant and in particular to an improved coupling of theholding element to the dental implant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As known for instance from U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,097, which has beenassigned to the present assignee, dental implants may be stored prior totheir use in a sealed ampule which is preferably filled with a storagefluid.

During storage the dental implant is temporarily coupled to a holdingelement which holding element is used in the course of storage to retainthe dental implant firmly in position within the ampule. Later, when thedental implant is removed from the ampule for implantation into arespective bone, the holding element is gripped by the user to be placedinto the implant site. The holding element is furthermore adapted fortemporary positive attachment to manipulating tools that facilitate theremoval of the dental implant from the ampule and the placement thereofinto the bone at the implant site. Ultimately, when the dental implantis implanted at the desired site in the bone, the holding element may beremoved from the dental implant. Nevertheless, as the holding element isscrewed to the dental implant, the overall handling is tedious.

From WO-A1-2005/037126, which has also been assigned to the presentassignee and the content of which is herewith incorporated by reference,there is known a holding element wherein the use of a screw for thecoupling thereof to the dental implant is avoided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, that illustrate the prior art known fromWO-A1-2005/037126, the known holding element which is generallydesignated by reference numeral 1 includes an engagement section 2adapted for positive engagement with a manipulating tool not shown. Theengagement section 2 is embodied as a polygonally shaped end, forinstance as an octagonally shaped end. Adjacent to the engagementsection 2 there is provided a radial groove 3 for accommodating anO-ring 3A shown in FIG. 2 that has a securing function to themanipulating tool not shown.

Furthermore, as indicated with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 1A,the holding element 1 has a retention section 4 with two adjoiningannular shoulders 5 and 7 and an intermediate cylindrical section 6 of areduced diameter adapted for retention in an inner ampule indicated at20. The retention section 4 is joined to the engagement section 2 by abreaking point member 30.

The known holding element 1 further includes, adjacent to the retentionsection 4, a clamping section 8 with a first radial groove 9, a forcetransmission element 10 with an octagonal shape for the positiveengagement with a dental implant 14, a second radial groove 11 and atapered member 12. As shown in FIG. 3, the second radial groove 11 isprovided with a clamping or lock ring 13 made of PEEK (poly ether etherketone) including a peripheral clearance 13A for facilitating themounting thereof.

The dental implant 14, in turn, is provided with a cavity 15 having aninner surface 17 that matches the surface of the force transmissionelement 10, such as to provide for a positive engagement between thedental implant 14 and the holding element 1, whereby the dental implant14 is rotationally secured to the holding element 1. The cavity 15 ofthe dental implant 14 further includes an undercut 18 sized forclampingly receiving the lock ring 13 and a conical terminal section 19closely enclosing the first radial grove 9 of the clamping section 8 ofthe holding element 1.

While providing for a better handling and facilitating the separation ofthe dental implant from the holding element it has been neverthelessnoted in the practical implementation that the known solution of WO-A1-2005/037126 still suffers some drawbacks, inasmuch the clamping forceof the prior art PEEK lock ring 13 changes in time or is variable adinitio, and therefore it is difficult to precisely adjust the clampingforce when the implantation is carried out. This problem is ofparticular concern if the dental implant is stored over a longer timespan and is even further aggravated if the storage medium is a fluid.

In addition, the prior art lock ring tends to release carbon that may inturn damage the surface of a dental implant, particularly an SLA treateddental implant surface.

Furthermore, the manufacturing tolerances of the prior PEEK lock ringare very strict, and therefore the production thereof may becomecumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide for an improved holdingelement for a dental implant wherein the clamping force can bemaintained over a larger time span during which the holding element andthe dental implant are stored in an packaging. The above aim applies topackaging with or without storage fluids.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the present invention is toprovide a holding element for a dental implant wherein the clampingforce can be precisely adjusted.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a holdingelement that minimizes the likelihood of damaging the dental implant andthat does not require excessively strict manufacturing tolerances.

This aim, and these and other objects which will become better apparenthereinafter, are achieved by a holding element for a dental implant asdefined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome better apparent from the following description of some preferredbut not exclusive embodiments of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limitativeexamples in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is side view of a prior art holding element for a dental implant;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a clamping section and of a retentionsection, in part, of the prior art holding element for a dental implantof FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the holding element of FIG. 1 with acoupled dental implant and placed in an inner ampule for storage andtransport of the dental implant;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged sectional view of the clamping section of theholding element of FIGS. 1 and 2 when coupled to the dental implant;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a PEEK clamping or lock ring of the prior artholding element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view a holding element for a dental implantaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view of the section of FIG. 5 including aclamping member;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is sectional view showing a variation of the fourth embodimentof FIG. 7 with the holding element shown engaged in the undercut of thedental implant;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is sectional view of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a holding element for a dental implantaccording to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 4A there is described a holding element 1for a dental implant according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be noted that elements thereof similar to those ofFIGS. 1 through 3 are designated by the same reference numerals and thatthe description thereof will be omitted.

As apparent from FIG. 4 the holding element 1 includes, in an similarmanner to the prior art of FIGS. 1 through 3, the engagement section 2for the positive engagement with a manipulating tool, the radial groove3 for accommodating the O-ring 3A, preferably made of PEEK, the breakingpoint member 30, the retention section with the two adjoining annularshoulders 5 and 7 and the intermediate cylindrical section 6 of areduced diameter, and a novel clamping section 8 to be describedhereinbelow. The engagement section 2 of the present invention ispreferably of polygonal and more preferably of octagonal shape.

The novel clamping section 8 according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention includes a first member 100 adapted for cooperationwith the terminal section 19 of the dental implant 14 and connecting tothe adjoining annular shoulder 7, a force transmission element 110connecting to the first member 100, and a second member 112 connectingto the force transmission element 110. Preferably, the first and/orsecond members 100, 112 are slightly tapered. The force transmissionelement 110 is preferably polygonally and more preferably octagonallyshaped. Nevertheless, the force transmission element 110 can also have asubstantially cylindrical or conical shape.

The force transmission element 110 and the second member 112 axiallysurround a novel clamping member 113 devised and arranged in accordancewith the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 4A the clamping member 113 is formed with asubstantially cylindrical body 113A and one or more arms 113B extendingradially through respective openings 114 provided in the second member112 and in the force transmission element 110. Nevertheless, the personskilled in the art will appreciate that the openings 114 may be formedonly in the second member 112, such that the radial arm or arms 113Bwould extend adjacent to the force transmission element 110.

The clamping member 113 has a certain elasticity, such that the arms113B can be compressed radially with the extremities or protrusions 113Cthereof extending in the non-compressed position beyond the perimeterdefined by the force transmission element 110. If the opening 114 isonly formed in the second member 112 the extremities or protrusions ofthe arms 113B would accordingly only extend in the non-compressedposition beyond the perimeter defined by the second member 112, however,to an extent sufficient to provide the clamping cooperation with anundercut 18 (not shown) of the dental implant 14.

Preferably the implant holder 1 of the first embodiment, except for theO-ring 3A and the clamping member 113, is manufactured of titan with thelatter being made of PEEK, although an appropriate plastic material canalso be used.

Further, preferably, the force transmission element 110, if shapedoctagonally, allows a plurality of rotational positions, with fourradial arms 113B extending through non-adjacent surfaces thereof.

In a similar manner to the prior art of FIGS. 1 through 3, the cavity 15of the dental implant 14 is provided with the undercut 18 (not shown inconnection with FIGS. 4 and 4A) to accommodate the radial arms 113B inthe non-compressed position thereof.

The clamping member 113 can be molded into a cavity of the holdingelement 1, as shown in FIG. 4A, and the extension of the cylindricalbody 113A into the cavity 15 of the dental implant 1 and its size aresuch that a good connection stability is provided. In a similar mannerthe second member 112 may also be sized to closely fit the cavity 15 ofthe dental implant to improve the stability of the connection.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 5A there is described a holding element 1for a dental implant according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be noted that elements thereof similar to those ofFIGS. 1 through 4B are designated by the same reference numerals andthat the description thereof will be omitted.

The novel clamping section 8 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention includes a first member 200 adapted for cooperationwith the terminal section 19 of the dental implant 14 and connecting tothe adjoining annular shoulder 7 and a force transmission element 210connecting to the first member 200. Preferably, the first member 200 isslightly tapered and the force transmission element 210 is preferablypolygonal and more preferably octagonal. Nevertheless, the forcetransmission element 210 can also have a substantially cylindrical orconical shape.

A clamping member 213 according to the second embodiment of theinvention, as particularly shown in FIG. 5A, includes an arm 213B whichcan be preferably milled from a lateral wall of the force transmissionelement 210. In a similar manner to the first embodiment the extremityor protrusion 213C of the arm 213B extends, in the non-compressedposition thereof, beyond the perimeter defined by force transmissionelement 210, such as to lockingly engage an undercut 18 (not shown inconnection with FIGS. 5 and 5A) provided in the cavity 15 of the dentalimplant 14.

Although one single arm 213B is shown in FIGS. 5 and 5A the personskilled in the art will appreciate that the number thereof can bevariated, as need be.

The clamping section of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 5A furtherincludes a substantially cylindrical body 213A extending from within theforce transmission element 210 and sized to fit the cavity 15 of thedental implant 1 such that a good connection stability is provided.Preferably, a clearance shown at 215 is present between the innersurface of the force transmission element 210 and the cylindrical body213A.

The holding element of the second embodiment, except for the not shownO-ring, is preferably made of titan.

With reference to FIG. 6 there is described a holding element 1 for adental implant according to a third embodiment of the present invention.It should be noted that elements thereof similar to those of FIGS. 5 and5A are designated by the same reference numerals and that thedescription thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6 the first memberis devised as a circular groove 200′ and there is provided a secondmember 216 protruding from the force transmission element 210 such as tofurther improve the stability of the connection between the holdingelement 1 and the dental implant 14.

With reference to FIG. 7 there is described a holding element 1 for adental implant according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be noted that elements thereof similar to those ofFIGS. 4 and 4A are designated by the same reference numerals and thatthe description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 7 the clampingmember 313 includes a body 313A shaped substantially as a parallelepipedwith preferably two arms 313B extending from a middle section of theparallelepiped body 313A. The arms 313B are provided with respectiveprotrusions 313C. The clamping member 313 of the latter embodiment maybe manufactured of PEEK or titan.

In the variation of FIG. 7A the arms 313B extend from a lower section ofthe parallelepiped body 313A. Furthermore, in FIG. 7A the holdingelement 1 is shown engaged in the undercut 18 of the dental implant 14.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 8B there is described a holding element 1for a dental implant according to a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention. It should be noted that elements thereof similar to those ofFIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals and that thedescription thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 8 the arm 213B″ ofthe clamping element 213 is in the shape of a pinhead inserted into arecess provided in the force transmission element 210 and in the secondmember 216, with the pinhead shaped arm 213B″ having a suitableelasticity. The clearance 215 between the inner surface of the forcetransmission element 210 and the cylindrical body 213A may be omitted inthis embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A.

With reference to FIG. 9 there is described a holding element 1 for adental implant according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.It should be noted that elements thereof similar to those of FIG. 6 aredesignated by the same reference numerals and that the descriptionthereof will be omitted. In the sixth embodiment of the invention theclamping element 413 is provided by means of a flexible arm 413B formedas a clip extending parallel to the axis of the holding element 1. Aprotrusion 413C of the arm 413B extends yet again in the non-compressedposition beyond the perimeter defined by the force transmission element210. The clip can be milled or otherwise manufactured from a lateralwall of the force transmission element 210.

Further, advantageously, an additional flexible arm 413D in the shape ofa clip may be provided on the annular shoulder 7 so as to furtherenhance the clamping force available for connecting the dental holder tothe dental implant.

In the latter embodiment the clearance 215 between the inner surface ofthe force transmission element 210 and the cylindrical body 413A mayalso be omitted.

It is noted in respect to all of the above embodiments that the holdingelement of the present invention is intended to be stored in a packagewith or without a storage fluid. Further, the package may be possiblyembodied as an ampule of the type described in the prior artpublications WO-A1-2005/037126 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,097.

Clearly, several modifications will be apparent to and can be readilymade by the skilled in the art without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Therefore, the scope of the claims shall not belimited by the illustrations or the preferred embodiments given in thedescription in the form of examples, but rather the claims shallencompass all of the features of patentable novelty that reside in thepresent invention, including all the features that would be treated asequivalents by the skilled in the art.

The disclosures in EPA 05107165.2 from which this application claimspriority are incorporated herein by reference.

1. A holding device for a dental implant, comprising: an engagementsection adapted for engagement with a manipulating tool; a retentionsection joined to the engagement section and adapted for engagement witha package; and a clamping section joined to the retention section andadapted for connecting the holding device to the dental implant, theclamping section comprising a force transmission element, wherein theclamping section further comprises a clamping element provided with anelastic means extending in a non-compressed position thereof at andbeyond an outer radial perimeter defined by the force transmissionelement, said elastic means comprising an elongated body extending in alongitudinal direction and at least one arm extending radially from theelongated body, the elongated body at least partially retained in acavity of the holding device.
 2. The holding device according to claim1, wherein the elastic means extends in a non-compressed positionthereof through a respective opening in the outer perimeter of the forcetransmission element.
 3. The holding device according to claim 1,wherein the elongated body comprises a substantially cylindricalelongated body.
 4. The holding device according to claim 3, wherein theelastic means comprises four radial arms and is preferably made of PEEK.5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the elongated body comprises asubstantially parallelepiped elongated body.
 6. The holding deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the elastic means comprises two radialarms extending in a radial direction from a middle section of the body.7. The holding device according to claim 5, wherein the elastic meanscomprises two radial arms extending in a radial direction from a sectionof the body which is situated at a bottom of the cavity of the holdingdevice.
 8. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the retention sectionis adapted for engagement with an ampule.
 9. A holding device for adental implant, comprising: an engagement section adapted for engagementwith a manipulating tool; a retention section joined to the engagementsection and adapted for engagement with a package; and a clampingsection joined to the retention section and adapted for connecting theholding device to the dental implant, the clamping section comprising aforce transmission element having an external profile adapted forrotationally securing the dental implant, wherein the clamping sectionfurther comprises a clamping element provided with an elastic meansextending in a non-compressed position thereof at and beyond an outerradial perimeter defined by the force transmission element, said elasticmeans comprising at least one arm formed from a lateral wall of theforce transmission element, said lateral wall defining at least a partof the external profile.
 10. The holding device of claim 9, wherein theat least one arm extending parallel to a central axis of the holdingdevice around which the outer profile of the holding device issubstantially symmetrical.
 11. The holding device of claim 9, whereinthe at least one arm is milled from the lateral wall of the forcetransmission element.
 12. A holding device for a dental implant,comprising: an engagement section adapted for engagement with amanipulating tool; a retention section joined to the engagement sectionand adapted for engagement with a package; and a clamping section joinedto the retention section and adapted for connecting the holding deviceto the dental implant, the clamping section comprising a forcetransmission element, wherein the clamping section further comprises aclamping element provided with an elastic means extending in anon-compressed position thereof at and beyond an outer radial perimeterdefined by the force transmission element, said elastic means comprisingat least one pinhead inserted into a longitudinal recess provided in theforce transmission element, the recess being substantially parallel to acentral axis of the holding device around which the outer profile of theholding device is substantially symmetrical.